There is a place, far from earth, far from space, existing beyond the reach of those alive. To travel to this place, you must first cease to exist, leave your earthly body behind and listen. You must listen until you hear the sound of deaths slow whistle, raspy and shrill. Death will come to find you, long black cloak trickling behind him like water.

For Death to send you to the place you seek, you must tell him how you died, tell your death as if it was a movie. Create twists and turns, it will have to be as engaging as possible for Death to deem you worthy, Death can be picky at times.

Once Death has sent you on, you will travel the light road, it will be as bright as a star, white beams create patterns over the sky, however you cannot dwell on the sights, follow the road as fast as you can, but never run otherwise they will suspect something. Along the roadside spirits sit and beg, you must not speak with them, they are trapped for a reason, never intended to reach the other side.

At the roads end is a vast lake, black liquid laps the shores, a rickety wooden boat sits bobbing on the current. It is here you must have faith, close your eyes, think of flying and breath in and out deeply. If you can do this right, you will take off over the lake, your great feathered wings beating. Look back if you dare, and you will see the ocean demons peer at you, hate blazing in their eyes, pulling the boat back beneath the waves.

Now near your journey's end shall you meet the dueller. An old spirit, though with the energy of a sprite, she will not speak until you ask to pass, tell her that death has sent you, if she accepts this pass by her and enter the void. If she refuses tell her that Nomed has sent you. She will now move aside for you to pass through, and here is where the story ends, though I am sure you are wondering who I am my dear human... For I am Nomed, ruler of the second realm. demoN of all evil.

At the end of life, that's where you'll find it. After your heart stops and your breathing ceases, after your blood stops flowing and your body stills, that's where you'll find it. It is an end and a beginning—an end to everything you've ever known, and a beginning of everything you've never known.

After your vision goes dark, you'll know you're on the correct path. You're in a tunnel, a dark tunnel, full of warm shadows and velvet opacity. You'll spend some time in this tunnel, alone with yourself, alone surrounded by dark nothingness. You'll realize you were never afraid of the dark, you were afraid of what nightmares stalked beyond your vision. You were never afraid of the night, you were afraid of the creatures that used darkness for their advantage, cloaking themselves in shadow until the very last moment, until you were nothing more than a bloody morsel. You were never afraid of the shadows, you were afraid of what they might contain. And these shadows contain nothing but themselves; these shadows are pure darkness. You'll find comfort in that darkness, in that tunnel. You'll find a greater sense of peace than you ever knew on earth.

Then, after you've found that sense of peace, that pure comfort, that total rest, you'll see a light appear at the end of the tunnel. It calls to you, it beckons you, and you'll find yourself moving toward it. You'll pass through the darkness, slowly, without haste. The shadows part ahead of you, and you thank them for their gift of peace.

As you draw closer to the end of the tunnel, the light grows more brilliant. It's the softest light you've ever known, yet also the most radiant. It has none of the harshness of days on earth, none of the sun's unforgiving scrutiny. It is soft, and promises acceptance. It is radiant, and promises love.

You'll step out of the tunnel into a beautiful meadow, and you'll feel at home. Clear mountains and blue lakes, vibrant forests and white beaches. Do you remember the fantastic lands you dreamed of when you were younger? Do you remember the magical places you wanted to visit? You've made it. You've made it. You can smell the ocean and the wildflowers. The air is clean and fresh, and when you inhale with a new set of lungs, you'll feel more refreshed than you ever have before.

Waiting for you in the meadow stands someone familiar, someone who crossed through the tunnel many years ago. The last time you saw them, they were gaunt, frail, lost. They did not remember you, they did not remember themselves. They faded slowly, painfully, until they said farewell. And now, they stand before you, healthy and happy and full of joy. They will welcome you to this beautiful new world, and you will feel true ease, true contentment. You'll realize that everything is okay, that everything was always okay and will always be okay. They'll take your hand and guide you forward, laughing and smiling all the way, to meet all those you lost before. You'll be at home in a wonderful new world, a world where you'll never feel this terrible pain again.

And that's what happens. Not so bad, right? There's nothing to be afraid of, I promise. We all pass through the tunnel eventually, crossing over into new and different lands. You and I will meet again; we'll reunite in that beautiful meadow, and we'll embrace under an endless blue sky in a better world.

Goodbye, for now. Say hello to the other side for me, will you?